Student called 'slut' by Limbaugh dismisses apology

Georgetown University law student Sandra Fluke reacts to Rush Limbaugh's comments and reveals that President Barack Obama called her offering encouragement, support and thanking her for speaking out for women's rights.

By msnbc.com staff and news services

The Georgetown University law student labeled a "slut" by conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh says his apology changes nothing and that Americans have to decide whether to support companies that continue to advertise on his program.

"I don't think that a statement like this issued, saying that his choice of words was not the best, changes anything, and especially when that statement is issued when he's under significant pressure from his sponsors who have begun to pull their support," Sandra Fluke told ABC’s "The View” on Monday.

The 30-year-old Fluke said she hasn't heard from Limbaugh since he issued a written apology late Saturday. But she says his comments about her testimony before members of Congress have been so personal, she'd rather not have him call. Fluke recently testified to Democratic members of Congress in support of a requirement that health care companies, even those connected to religious organizations, provide coverage for contraception.

The controversy over Limbaugh's comments has led nine companies, including AOL on Monday, to pull advertising from his three-hour radio show.

The original furor was sparked by Limbaugh's comments on Wednesday, when he branded Fluke a "slut" for her support of the administration's new policy on contraception. The radio show host repeated the charges on Thursday, saying: "Well, what would you call someone who wants us to pay for her to have sex? What would you call that woman? You'd call 'em a slut, a prostitute or whatever."

After advertisers abandoned his radio show, Limbaugh issued a verbal mea culpa saying he shouldn't have called law student Sandra Fluke a 'slut.' NBC's Anne Thompson reports.

On Friday, Limbaugh mocked the fact that Fluke received a phone call from President Barack Obama, saying she should "disconnect the phone. I'd go into hiding and hope the media didn't find me."

In his statement on his website on Saturday, Limbaugh said:

"For over 20 years, I have illustrated the absurd with absurdity, three hours a day, five days a week. In this instance, I chose the wrong words in my analogy of the situation. I did not mean a personal attack on Ms. Fluke.

I think it is absolutely absurd that during these very serious political times, we are discussing personal sexual recreational activities before members of Congress. I personally do not agree that American citizens should pay for these social activities. What happened to personal responsibility and accountability? Where do we draw the line? ...

My choice of words was not the best, and in the attempt to be humorous, I created a national stir. I sincerely apologize to Ms. Fluke for the insulting word choices."